Should Deluxe Resorts Get Added Perks?

[*NikkiBell*]

On this week's show, the team discusses whether or not deluxe resort guests should get more perks than those staying at moderate or value resorts. This could be in the form of EMH, Fast Passes, or something new. I'd love to hear everyone's opinion on this topic. What do you think?

 

[WaltD4Me]

I understand the argument of perks for staying at a Deluxe, but I am of the opinion that there are already perks. The Deluxe resorts are beautiful, offer more amenities, more space, more restaurants, nicer pools. Monorail resorts have the monorail outside the door....big perk IMHO. I stayed at the Poly, it was wonderful. I have enjoyed staying at moderates too, but they don't compare to the Deluxes. I do believe though, once you hit the parks they should be the same for everyone to enjoy at the same level. One of the reasons I won't go to Universal is because of they work their FOTL access. I will be very disappointed in Disney if they go the way of Universal when it comes to FP's/FOTL.

 

[BigGreen73]

I understand the argument of perks for staying at a Deluxe, but I am of the opinion that there are already perks. The Deluxe resorts are beautiful, offer more amenities, more space, more restaurants, nicer pools. Monorail resorts have the monorail outside the door....big perk IMHO. I stayed at the Poly, it was wonderful. I have enjoyed staying at moderates too, but they don't compare to the Deluxes. I do believe though, once you hit the parks they should be the same for everyone to enjoy at the same level. One of the reasons I won't go to Universal is because of they work their FOTL access. I will be very disappointed in Disney if they go the way of Universal when it comes to FP's/FOTL.

I couldn't have said it any better.

 

[OKW Lover]

I want extra perks just for me. I don't want to have to deal with the unwashed masses. I'm a Deluxe (well DVC) snob.

OK, back to reality. I'd prefer if Disney avoided class warfare and kept special opportunities available to anybody who cared to pay for it.

 

[starwood]

I want extra perks just for me. I don't want to have to deal with the unwashed masses. I'm a Deluxe (well DVC) snob.

OK, back to reality. I'd prefer if Disney avoided class warfare and kept special opportunities available to anybody who cared to pay for it.

But we are DVC so we aren't paying for a package so we get nothing. Due to guest demand....

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I thought the Deluxe resorts *were* the added perks. I haven't stayed at a moderate since I was a little kid (and have never stayed at a Value yet), but having seen a bunch of different resorts, the Deluxe resorts (I've stayed at Poly, AKL, BWI and GF RPC) have a totally different feel to them.

 

[Cherinva]

I agree with most here....staying at a Deluxe is a perk....you certainly pay for it. Mostly, I stay at the Values (not just because they are less in cost, but because I really like the feeling of them)...I have stayed at Deluxe before, and I loved it....with the monorail just outside it is a bonus.

I don't think the Deluxe resorts need extra FP or early entry...just MHO

 

[ctl]

The Deluxe resorts are perks in themselves. They have larger rooms, concierge services,beautiful pools, spa services, nicer restaurants, monorail access. If you start to limit EMH etc to deluxe resorts then that will push up the price of the deluxe resorts as more people want to book them. Be careful what you wish for, if EMH etc were limited to deluxe resorts and the price soared due to higher demand,you could be on here complaining about the excessive rise in deluxe hotel costs next.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

The Deluxe resorts are perks in themselves. They have larger rooms, concierge services,beautiful pools, spa services, nicer restaurants, monorail access....

...and giraffes

 

[ctl]

Yeah roomthreeseventeen,sorry I forgot the giraffes!

 

[jcb]

...and giraffes

I agree with the giraffe . . .

 

[momto2inKC]

I understand the argument of perks for staying at a Deluxe, but I am of the opinion that there are already perks. The Deluxe resorts are beautiful, offer more amenities, more space, more restaurants, nicer pools. Monorail resorts have the monorail outside the door....big perk IMHO. I stayed at the Poly, it was wonderful. I have enjoyed staying at moderates too, but they don't compare to the Deluxes. I do believe though, once you hit the parks they should be the same for everyone to enjoy at the same level. One of the reasons I won't go to Universal is because of they work their FOTL access. I will be very disappointed in Disney if they go the way of Universal when it comes to FP's/FOTL.

Very well said and I totally agree!

 

[kbelle8995]

I would prefer that don't do this. It's a ant's nest you don't want opened. For example what happens if you have an annual passholder staying at a value? I happen to be in that situation a lot so probably why I'm asking.

I think that just staying at deluxe resort is a perk. Deluxes are in better locations, have better pools and more sit down restaurants and shopping.

 

[monkistan]

i just have to say Amen to all of the above. you already get what you pay for. the deluxes are nicer than the moderates which are far and away nicer than thee values. there are already perks and niceties to staying at a deluxe.

 

[DCTooTall]

The resorts are already classed and vary based off what they offer. It would seem greedy to start offering more non-resort perks to those staying at Deluxe resorts.

If anything, I'd almost say that the only additional perk I'd like to see at the Deluxe resorts, Is for them to start actually offering closer to the non-Disney version of "Deluxe Resort" service. While there is a noticable difference in the resort feel from a moderate or Value, The Deluxe's, to me, don't really seem to really be up to a true deluxe standard that would justify the cost difference.

Since people seem to bring up comparisons to onsite at Universal quite often, I'll throw in my own analysis. The Way Universal handles their express or FotL Priviledges work for them because of the park layouts and design....and their total resort capacity allows them to over the unlimited express without overloading the system. Disney's park layouts and designs, along with their resort capacity, don't really offer them the same ability to offer the same type of perk to their guests without major tweaks that will throw the entire system off-balance.

More importantly... If you look at the costs, Yes....Universal's Current resorts can be priced comparably to the Disney Deluxes. What you get however within your resort and room however at Universal's Resorts are much closer to what would pass for a Deluxe Resort outside of Disney. The universal resorts, run by Lowes, offer the same level of service that you might expect at a Lowes anyplace else in the country.

So IMHO, Rather than concentrate on how to "Improve the Disney Deluxe Experience" thru additional perks or privileges at the parks, I Think Disney would be better served and have more success by improving the level of service at the resorts themselves. [Which might be something as simple as improving the staff training, expectations, and experience to a level that Disney's current pay-scale and interchangeable resort staffing policies currently don't allow]

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I do think they could offer some more stuff to concierge services. That is REALLY expensive.

 

[Kimberle]

There are already differences. During free dining, deluxe and mod's get the standard dining plan. Value's only get the quick service.

 

[Silverfox97]

No.

I'm an annual passholder that makes day trips & *rarely* stays at a WDW (or any) resort. Extra magic hours are good enough IMHO. Just because you are paying more doesn't entitle extras such as line perks.

JMHO!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[connie1042]

I just listened to this and I have mixed feelings. I think it really cost a lot for a family to go to Disney. Most people fly, so this is not a cheap trip. It gets more expensive every year. I am grateful for the different priced hotels at Disney, but I would not hesitate to staying off site, if it meant going or not going. As it is now, no one know where you are staying. If you give people that stay deluxe extra perks, it is basically saying you are beneath us. Now you will see the private tours, and most people do not know that they are 650 or so an hour. When I see them, I think, boy it would be nice to have nothing better to do with my money. But then I think, what a waste. But the people that do these, do it because they can and sometimes because of who they are, they have to. Now I am a people person, and I would hate having to use the back entrance to enjoy the parks, so that know one would see me. I could not justify staying at a Deluxe. It is a bed and a few square feet of extra space. My house payment is cheaper than a 2 night stay at most of the deluxe. I hate being judged by how much money I have, or what kind of clothes I wear, or how much I am willing to spend on a vacation. I am just happy to be able to go on vacation. I think if you give Deluxe guest front of the line passes or x-passes, you are sorta discriminating the population that can not afford it. When you buy a ticket to get into the park, that ticket should be the same for all, and where you stay should not have any bearing on that entrance ticket. Now if you want to give the people that stay deluxe, extra perks at the hotel, like a guaranteed seating at a restaurant at that hotel, or a special pool or beach, then go for it. That is what you are paying for. Like the monorail. But I really do not think it should be any different for the parks.

 

[snowwhitenyc]

I don't think extra perks are required...and it would actually make me pretty sad if Disney implemented a policy like that.

While it is true that Deluxe resort guests pay more for their vacations, I feel that anyone who pays for a Disney vacation pays PLENTY. No one is getting a "deal". No one is pulling a fast one over on Disney...even with discounts, free dining, etc., you can't have a Disney vacation with tickets, meals, and onsite hotel without plunking down a BIG chunk of change. Value resort guests pay less because they get less!

I definitely understand that Disney wants to reward guests who stay on property, but I really think the parks are for everyone to enjoy equally. EMH is more than fair as a resort guest perk, but I would hate for Value resort guests to start feeling like second-class citizens. If Disney wants to do more, they should focus on making improvements in the resorts themselves. Higher thread count sheets, more cable channels, characters in the lobbies...there are SO many things they could do.